About Animal Rescue Foundation

  • About Animal Rescue Foundation

Our Mission

Animal Rescue Foundation, also commonly known as ARF, is a Federal 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill, 100% volunteer animal rescue located in Beacon, NY. Our dedicated volunteers are driven by their love for animals and their desire to improve the lives of the cats and dogs at ARF. 

Since 1986, we’ve rescued, rehabilitated, sheltered, and found loving homes for thousands of cats and dogs. Every step is taken to assure that animals go to good and appropriate adoptive homes. Even those who aren’t chosen by a family experience unwavering love and care from our devoted volunteers, creating a forever home right here at ARF.

Looking to add a cat or dog to your family? View our adoptable animals here >

Video created and donated by Rose Crown Productions LLC.

Our Facility

Our property was granted by the City of Beacon in the 1980s and repurposed, it now provides a safe and welcoming space for animals in need.

Our building features two free-roam cat rooms, a smaller cat room for medical quarantines and intakes, and two dog rooms with kennels that have access to outdoor runs. Our expansive grounds include a large fenced-in grass yard for dogs to play and a wooded trail along Fishkill Creek for enriching walks.

Additionally, we share a parking lot with Mid Hudson Animal Aid’s Essie Dabrusin Cat Sanctuary.

Our Founder

Barbara Shea founded ARF almost 40 years ago and has left behind a tremendous legacy of service to animals and the community.  She helped thousands of animals in need, those without a voice, those unwanted, and those without a home until she opened the doors of her shelter to them.  Barbara was a tireless advocate who helped countless animals find forever homes, helped them to heal and receive medical treatment, and allowed many to call ARF their forever home when adoption was not an option.

A 1992 article featuring Barbara Shea.

My daughters both volunteered at ARF and they knew I was looking for a dog. The volunteers at ARF were so kind and helpful. We adopted Abigail from ARF when she was only 6 months old and was the perfect fit for our home. Abigail is now a senior and still brings so much joy to our lives. After our cat died, he left such a void in our hearts and we we wanted another. Arden was left in a carrier outside ARF. The kind people there gave him food, love and a warm place to stay. We adopted him at a year old and he is also now a senior and the most lovable cat. He gives hugs and sandpaper kisses all the time. Love both them with all of our hearts. Grateful to the people at ARF so much.
A Cool Grandma
I adopted my girl Daisy in 2011 as one of Sandi's pups. She was 8 weeks old and spoiled from the day she came home. She was my first dog I adopted as an adult and was treated as my child. She helped my fiance get over his fear of dogs. We added her sister a year later and were a happy family for 8 years doing everything together- we went to parks, down to the river, out for ice cream, had birthday parties for her, visited family, and her favorite- rides in the cars. She sadly passed away from epilepsy 12/24/19. She was the light and heart of our family and I thank ARF every day for letting me adopt our beloved Daisy.
Chrissy
George and Jerry spent their first four years of life in the care of ARF and I am so grateful I adopted these gentle loving creatures. They bring me joy every day. The volunteers really love their animals. One even cried when I took them home - such wonderful people there.
John P.

Want to share your experience? We would love to hear from you!